RBOD.L vs. ROBT

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

RBOD.L (iShares Automation & Robotics UCITS ETF) and ROBT (First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RBOD.L is a Robotics fund tracking the iSTOXX® FactSet Automation & Robotics, while ROBT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RBOD.L returned 10.77%/yr vs 1.07%/yr for ROBT. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RBOD.L charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ROBT.

Performance

RBOD.L vs. ROBT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Automation & Robotics UCITS ETF (RBOD.L) and First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RBOD.L achieves a 29.09% return, which is significantly higher than ROBT's 7.12% return.

RBOD.L

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 4.81%
• YTD: 29.09%
• 6M: 26.94%
• 1Y: 45.41%
• 3Y*: 21.97%
• 5Y*: 10.77%
• 10Y*: —

ROBT

• 1D: -6.39%
• 1M: 3.43%
• YTD: 7.12%
• 6M: 3.35%
• 1Y: 22.35%
• 3Y*: 7.33%
• 5Y*: 1.07%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

RBOD.L vs. ROBT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
RBOD.L iShares Automation & Robotics UCITS ETF	29.09%	17.09%	5.85%	39.67%	-34.48%	20.91%	39.70%	38.35%	-23.17%
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	7.12%	15.16%	-0.41%	27.77%	-34.94%	9.91%	46.18%	34.28%	-13.98%

Correlation

The correlation between RBOD.L and ROBT is 0.67, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2018	0.67

The correlation between RBOD.L and ROBT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

RBOD.L vs. ROBT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RBOD.L	ROBT
Technology	71.4%	57.0%
Industrials	26.2%	20.4%
Healthcare	1.5%	7.4%
Basic Materials	0.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	6.6%
Communication Services	-	4.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.4%
Energy	-	1.5%
Financial Services	-	1.6%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

RBOD.L vs. ROBT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

RBOD.L

RBOD.L Risk / Return Rank: 61
RBOD.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
RBOD.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
RBOD.L Omega Ratio Rank: 58
RBOD.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
RBOD.L Martin Ratio Rank: 59

ROBT

ROBT Risk / Return Rank: 25
ROBT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
ROBT Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
ROBT Omega Ratio Rank: 25
ROBT Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
ROBT Martin Ratio Rank: 24

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

RBOD.L vs. ROBT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Automation & Robotics UCITS ETF (RBOD.L) and First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	RBOD.L	ROBT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	0.93	+1.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	1.36	+1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.17	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.99	1.04	+1.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.29	2.97	+7.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RBOD.L vs. ROBT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RBOD.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is higher than the ROBT Sharpe Ratio of 0.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RBOD.L and ROBT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RBOD.L	ROBT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.03	0.93	+1.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.04	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.31	+0.24

Drawdowns

RBOD.L vs. ROBT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RBOD.L drawdown since its inception was -44.50%, roughly equal to the maximum ROBT drawdown of -44.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBOD.L and ROBT.

Drawdown Indicators

	RBOD.L	ROBT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.50%	-44.47%	-0.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.42%	-21.66%	+6.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.02%	-27.68%	+2.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.50%	-43.26%	-1.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.25%	-7.83%	+7.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.15%	-15.96%	+3.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	7.54%	-3.05%

Volatility

RBOD.L vs. ROBT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Automation & Robotics UCITS ETF (RBOD.L) is 8.26%, while First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) has a volatility of 9.55%. This indicates that RBOD.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ROBT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RBOD.L	ROBT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.26%	9.55%	-1.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.46%	18.67%	-0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.76%	24.18%	-1.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.72%	25.33%	-1.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.61%	25.57%	-1.96%

RBOD.L vs. ROBT - Expense Ratio Comparison

RBOD.L has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than ROBT's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

RBOD.L vs. ROBT - Dividend Comparison

RBOD.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.27%, while ROBT has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
RBOD.L iShares Automation & Robotics UCITS ETF	0.27%	0.34%	0.36%	0.45%	0.56%	0.32%	0.34%	0.79%	1.18%
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.68%	0.23%	0.35%	0.06%	0.17%	0.42%	0.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RBOD.L and ROBT in my portfolio?

RBOD.L and ROBT have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, RBOD.L or ROBT?

On fees, RBOD.L is cheaper at 0.40% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, RBOD.L or ROBT?

RBOD.L is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ROBT.

What is the main difference between RBOD.L and ROBT?

RBOD.L is categorized as Robotics, while ROBT is Technology Equities. RBOD.L tracks iSTOXX® FactSet Automation & Robotics, while ROBT tracks Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for RBOD.L and 0.65% for ROBT.